China’s Communist Party to rein in powerful youth wing allied to PM

China’s Communist Party is to impose tighter controls on its youth wing, state media reported, in what analysts said was a move to undermine a powerful political faction allied to Premier Li Keqiang.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang speaks at the 11th EU-China Business Summit at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Wednesday, July 13, 2016. REUTERS/Ng Han Guan/Pool

The Communist Youth League (CYL) has long been a proving ground for up-and-comers to demonstrate their political talent, particularly those who are not “princelings” with the advantage of high-ranking parents, like President Xi Jinping.

It has produced some of the country’s top leaders, including Xi’s presidential predecessor Hu Jintao as well as Li, and its alumni are seen as a leading faction within the Communist Party.

The Party’s central committee published a plan to downsize the CYL’s central and provincial committees and move more staff to “areas which directly serve the country’s youth”, state media reported late Tuesday. Read More